Hi, how do you guys (automatically) water your pots of maple? I need to go on vacation soon so I need to automate the watering process them. I am thinking of setting up a drip system just for my potted maples, I have been using a 1GPH drippers for my bed. but not sure how it will do with 1 gallon pots, should I use a bigger GPH dripper or smaller one?
depends on how long your cycle is and what weather you anticipate. Large bore emitters are normally for larger pots with a relatively short cycle. If you cant change the cycle time then add more emitters depending on expected water uptake.
A popular method is to use spray stakes on a drip line. These give better coverage than the emitters and thereby you would have to use fewer and should get more even water distribution. I plan to use these once I set up the system. Problem being you woun't run down to your local hardware store and find them-- A likely online purchase in most areas. They will likely be close to how you water now, so water approximately as frequently, but it might be best to set up the system to see how wet it keeps things. I would suspect once daily for a short time will be enough unless coverage is poor. Take a look at this site that has a very diverse selection of all things drip. http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/store.html Click on the Sprayers and Sprinklers link on the right hand side followed by Sprayers and then scroll down the page just a bit. MJH
Well, I have been hooking up a few microsprinkler stakes to my underground system to water some of the bigger containers (around 20"), works OK but not that great. I have to tune it down quite a bit in order to not have water flying out of the container. That's why I am thinking the drippers be a better alternative on 1 gallon trees, and the leaves would not need to get wet. If I would go with stake sprinklers I would use 1 per plant, that way as the container get larger I would not need to do anything as I would with drippers. The way I water now is with a home made PVC wand and I flood the soil pretty good but the leaves stay dry.
Hi, Definately Drippers. Do not wet the leafs.I put all pots in trays during summer to use all the drip water. regards Wolfgang
I just noticed one problem I am having with the adjustable micro sprinklers, while I would adjust it to just about perfect radius and not much water wasted, but the pressure seemed to fluctuate and I noticed the plant was dry today when the sprinkler did come on as scheduled. I had to readjust again. It become a balancing act too if you have about 4 sprinklers hooked up into one line. With drippers it draws only a very minimal amount of water and the pressure fluctuation would not be a problem, but I would have to inspect it for clogging. I plan to have 2 drippers per 1 gallon pot for a bit extra insurance.
I just noticed one problem I am having with the adjustable micro sprinklers, while I would adjust it to just about perfect radius and not much water wasted, but the pressure seemed to fluctuate and I noticed the plant was dry today when the sprinkler did come on as scheduled. I had to readjust again. It become a balancing act too if you have about 4 sprinklers hooked up into one line. With drippers it draws only a very minimal amount of water and the pressure fluctuation would not be a problem, but I would have to inspect it for clogging. I plan to have 2 drippers per 1 gallon pot for a bit extra insurance.
Miciro sprinklers will not be a good solution for potted plants. The use of multiple emitters will well work well or the spray stakes. As you pointed out spray stakes will be overkill for very small pots but you won't have to upgrade later. As a matter of the emitters, you can probably get more of them on one line and run them longer than with the spray stakes. With sprayer you might want to run a tee from the valve and run two shorter lines to stabilize the pressure some or run the line in a loop to equalize the pressure as it will be less at the end of the line no matter what the situation. Webwolf: As to your comment about not getting the foliage wet, I don't see your reasoning. There can be some problems with overhead watering and the spread of mildew and fungal pathogens, but to simply get the foliage wet? There is no problem in doing that. Many greenhouse operations use only overhead watering but often preventatively treat specific pathogens. MJH
